Truss pad structure



May 27, 1958 H. L. HOFFMANN TRUSS PAD STRUCTURE Filed Nov. 29, 1954 IMS mr nnnlnnnnnnnnnnr l nm. mm mr V0 mw, I l. l y F m u., WIN n m d m M FIL-5 ff United tates Patent() 2,836,176 TRUss PAD STRUCTURE Henry L. Hoffmann, Minneapolis, Minn.

Application November 29, 1954, Serial No. 471,791

3 Claims. (Cl. 12S-106) This invention relates to an improvement in a truss structure and more specifically in the structure for adjustably securing a pad to a truss band, and particularly the hernial pad, whereby a very precise lateral adjustment can be secured. Said adjusting structure represents a substantial advance in the art.

It is an object of this invention to provide a truss comprising a band and a pad whereby said band has a portion disposed into said pad for any desired distance thereof, and means for securing said portion in dierent positions relative to said pad.

It is another object of this invention `to provide a truss comprising a band and a pad, said pad having a passage therein, said passage having an enlarged outer portion and an inner threaded portion, and said band having a threaded portion disposed rotatably in said passage whereby longitudinal adjustment is made by rotation of said pad about said portion, and means for holding said pa from rotation.

It is a more specic object of this invention to provide a truss comprising a band and a pad, said pad having a plate therein having a passage substantially thereacross, said passage having an outer portion polygonal in transverse section, and an inner threaded portion, an end section of said band having a portion polygonal in transverse section and an outer threaded end portion, said section being disposed rotatably in said passage and a sleeve slidable about said polygonal portion disposed in said passage to hold the same in different positions relative to said pad.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be fully set forth in the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

Fig. l is a top plan View of applicants device;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged View of applicants device in horizontal section taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 1, as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view in vertical section taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 2, as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view in end elevation of a portion of applicants device taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 2, as indicated by the arrows; and

Fig. 5 is a broken away view in side elevation showing a modification of an end portion of a truss band.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Fig. l, a pad 10 is shown. In the embodiment of the inven- -tion as here illustrated, said pad is shown to be of a type commonly known as a hernial pad. As here disclosed, said pad is shown to be generally elliptical in plan and of less thicknes than width so as to be platelike in form. As here disclosed, said pad has an outer layer 10a of soft resilient material, such as foam rubber or sponge rubber. Said pad 1@ has an inner portion 10b of sheet material, such as metal or plastic material, and as here disclosed said portion 1Gb is formed of a pair of layers. Said pad 10 has a passage 11 therein ICC substantially thereacross and as here disclosed the same is formed between the layers of material which form said member 10b. Said passage will be adapted to receive therein an end portion of a truss band. In the embodiment of the invention here disclosed, said passage is shown comprising an outer enlarged portion 11a being square in transverse section and an inner portion 11b interiorly threaded.

A truss band 13 is provided. Any type of the truss bands commonly in use may be adapted for use in connection with said pad 10. As here disclosed, said band 13 has a removable terminal portion 14. Said terminal portion 14 has an offset end portion 14a adapted to be secured to band 13 by a recessed screw 15. The manner of securing said portion 14 to said band 13 does not form a portion of the invention herein.

Said terminal portion 14 has a portion 1417 here disclosed as being square in transverse section and having an outer threaded portion 14C. Said portion 14C is adapted to be received in passage 11b. Portion 14b is adapted to be rotatably disposed in portion 11a of passage 11. Movably placed about portion 14b is a sleeve 16. Said sleeve is adapted to be disposed about portion 1411 in passage 11a and to lit snugly in said passage to prevent the rotation of said portion 141; in said passage 11a. Said sleeve 16 is provided with a pair of upstanding lugs or ears 16a to provide a holding means for moving said member 16.

In operation, when it is desired to position pad 10 on terminal portion 14, said sleeve 16 will be moved to the left with reference to Fig. 2, to a point adjacent the inner end of said terminal portion 14 so as to be entirely removedfrom passage 11. The threaded portion 14e` of member 14 will be threaded into portion 11b of passage 11 and the polygonal portion 14b of member 14 will have a substantial portion thereof disposed in portion 11a of passage 11. Pad 10 will now be rotated. In accordance with the direction of said rotation, said pad may be moved closer to or farther away from the end of band 13 whereby when said band is in position on a Wearers body, said pad may be precisely adjusted to be positioned directly over the hernial opening. The front portion of said band 13 may be moved sufliciently away from the body to permit the rotation of said pad 10. Thus a very precise adjustment may be secured. When said pad 10 is in its desired position on terminal portion 14, said sleeve 16 will be moved into said passage 11 and will be frictionally held therein to hold said pad 10 from further rotation. Said sleeve 16 is very easily moved into and out of position by lthe use of lingers only and no tool is required. Said ears 16a will be placed directly against a portion of said pad 1) and thus will in no way disturb the wearer.

Referring to Fig. 5, a broken away portion of a truss band 13' is illustrated in which the terminal portion 14 is integral therewith as compared to terminal portion 14 which is removable from said band 13. Said terminal portion is illustrated as having a portion 14b polygonal in transverse section and a threaded portion 14c. The operation will be the same as that set forth above.

Thus it is seen that I have provided a novel and simple structure for properly positioning a truss pad to permit its precise adjustment in accordance with the requirements of a wearer of a truss. Said adjustment is very easily and quickly made without the use of any Vtools or the loosening or tightening of any screws. Applicants invention represents a substantial improvement in the art of adjusting and positioning truss pads. Applicants invention is now in commercial production and has been found to be very successful in use.

4 of courserbe understood that various ehanges" may be. made. in thev form, details, arrangement. and pro.

v inner portion, said band having an end section having a threaded potrion disposed Yin said threadedk portion of said'passage, and a sleeveslidably disposed on said end sectionV ofsaidA band and. disposed vinto said band.pas sage to hold saidVY enlarged portion Aof said pad frorn rotation about said end section of said band.

2. A1 truss having in combination, a band and a pad, said pad having a plate structure therein, said plate structure having a passage therein substantially Ytherearcross,

Y said passage having an enlarged outer portion polygonal in transverse section and an inner threaded portion, said handhaving an end section having aportion polygonal in transvers'erisection and athreaded end portion,'said end section being disposed rotatablytinto4 said passage,` and a :sleeve slidably `disposed onsaid polygonal portion ofsaid band and positioned Vin said enlarged portion of f said passage to hold said pad from rotation,

3. A truss having in combination, a pad having an inner plate structure, a passage in said plate structure, said passage having an inner threadedrportion and an outer enlarged portion polygonal in transverse section, and a band having a threaded end portion. disposed in said threaded passage and Va portion of said band Vadjacent said threaded portion ofY said band Vbeing'polygonal inVV transverse section and rotatable in said outer passage; and a sleeve disposedY on said band and slidable on said las-t mentioned portion Vof said' band in said outer portion of said passage in said pad to hold said pad in dierent nonrotatable positions relative to said band.

References Cited in the le ofY this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS i 243,632 Seeley June 28, 1881 Lane Mar. 14,'1944V 

